Philip H. Gottfried Partner

Philip H. Gottfried found that his two intellectual passions, science and the law, could be simultaneously pursued if he were a patent lawyer, and he dove in. After earning a degree in physics, he taught high school science; a law degree and an LLM in Patent and Trade Regulation Law followed. He took the patent agent’s exam, and was admitted to the patent bar, which gave him an intense and early grounding on arguing for and against patentability. With this unusually deep background, he practices all aspects of intellectual property law—litigation and counseling in patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition—and represents clients before government agencies, federal courts and appellate courts.

He has handled intellectual property rights litigation and enforcement for products ranging from toys and games, fashion and apparel, and manufacturing to information gathering and publishing. Mr. Gottfried developed and successfully enforced anti-counterfeiting programs, obtaining seizure orders and preliminary and permanent injunctions against counterfeiters, along with significant monetary verdicts. He has successfully defended against patent infringement charges and obtained monetary judgments for patent infringements.

Mr. Gottfried continues to guide clients through the intellectual property thicket and to assist them in protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights through registering and enforcing their patents, copyrights and trademarks.

In the past several years, he has focused on trademark and copyright cases in a range of industries. On the eve of trial, he recently achieved a seven-figure resolution of a complex case involving copyright infringement when his infringement positions, arguments and demonstrative evidence persuaded the other side of the strength of his client’s position. Many of his clients are concerned about knock-offs—mass market retailers and manufacturers of apparel, consumer products and consumer electronics from the United States and overseas replicating high-end, limited-distribution products. He works with them to enforce IP rights and has trained and coordinates with Customs officials to stem the import of and seizure of infringing and counterfeit products. Mr. Gottfried also advises clients on trademark protection and clearance, brings trademark infringement actions and defends against trademark infringement allegations. He has obtained numerous permanent trademark and copyright infringement injunctions.